Kia decided the best way to promote the new Optima hybrid, is by breaking some sort of record. So they’re gearing up to set new Guinness World Record for lowest fuel consumption in a hybrid car.
The 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid will be driven through all 48 adjoining states of America, that’s a journey of over 8,000 miles, experienced fuel economy driver Wayne Gerdes and his colleague and friend Chris Bernius. The car is of course factory standard.
The challenge begins from Kia Motors’ manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, on August 26, and finishes in South Carolina just 16 days later, on September 10.
Kia has not clarified what is the record they are going to break, not sure if there’s any in the first place, but the 2.4 liter Optima offers 40.7 per cent fuel consumption improvement over the standard Optima EX, while doing zero to 100 kph (62 mph) in 9.2 seconds, a top speed of 195 kph (121 mph).
Senior Executive Vice President & COO of Kia Motors Corporation, Thomas Oh, said, “Fuel economy is becoming increasingly important to car buyers all around the world, and the Kia Optima Hybrid is one of our latest models to address this consumer requirement.
“Driving through all 48 adjoining US states is the ultimate ‘real-world’ challenge, but the Kia Optima Hybrid gives the drivers the very best chance of setting a new Guinness World Record, as it has been specifically designed to achieve maximum fuel economy in all driving conditions, not just in the city,” Oh continued.
